Criminal proceedings continued on Monday (5 December 2016) against Scottish gamekeeper Craig Graham.

Mr Graham, 51, is accused of setting and re-setting a pole trap, baited with a pheasant carcass, on the Brewlands Estate between 9-17 July 2015. He has denied the charges.

This case was first called on 31 March 2016. A provisional trial date was set for 9th September 2016. This date was later dumped and another provisional trial date was set for 5th December 2016.

On Monday, the case was adjourned, again. An intermediate diet is scheduled for 28 March 2017 and another provisional trial date has been scheduled for 15 May 2017. This is the third time a provisional trial date has been set for this case.

Frustrating though this is, this is the way the law works, and we must abide by it. It protects the innocent, even though it also gives the guilty the ability to play the system. But it is encouraging to see these cases being pursued, and it’s in our interests that the process is done right to secure convictions. Hopefully this will begin to happen more often when successful prosecutions occur. It’s our best hope of sending a clear message to the rural criminals that they can no longer consider themselves to be above the law.

[Ed: Tony (and everybody else) – please refrain from apportioning guilt, or even hinting at guilt, whether directly or indirectly, in live legal cases where named individuals are involved. This is not only defamatory but could also be considered as contempt of court. Whatever our personal views, it’s for the court to determine innocence or guilt and it is imperative that comments here do not threaten the accused’s rights to a fair trial. Thank you]